Accessory track and accessory components for office furniture

ABSTRACT

A track that can be mounted to, or integrated into, a permanent wall or a partition system wall, and accessory components that are mountable in the track in either one of two orientations. In particular, the accessory component is inserted into the opening of a channel of the track with a first side of the accessory component resting upon a fulcrum surface that is formed in the track. The accessory component is then pivoted about the fulcrum surface allowing a first engagement portion, such as a protrusion formed inside the channel of the track, to engage with a second engagement portion, such as a groove formed in the accessory component. The accessory component has opposing sides with engagement portions formed therein that are engageable with the protrusion formed in the track. Thus, the accessory component can be turned over and inserted in a second, opposite orientation with the first side facing upward. The accessory component also includes a cutout portion that allows for the passage of cords and other items through the accessory component when the accessory component is mounted to the track.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/144,575, entitled ACCESSORY TRACK AND ACCESSORY COMPONENTS FOR OFFICE FURNITURE, filed on Jan. 14, 2009, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to office furniture and, more specifically, relates to an accessory track, and accessory office furniture components mountable within the accessory track.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of office accessories are used in office environments, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing units, and other accessories. These office accessories may be hung on a wall, and/or mounted to an office partition system that includes tracks that allow a user to mount the office accessories to the partition system.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a track that can be mounted to, or integrated into, a permanent wall or a partition system wall, and accessory components that are mountable in the track in either one of two orientations. In particular, the accessory component is inserted into the opening of a channel of the track with a first side of the accessory component resting upon a fulcrum surface that is formed in the track. The accessory component is then pivoted about the fulcrum surface allowing a first engagement portion, such as a protrusion formed inside the channel of the track, to engage with a second engagement portion, such as a groove formed in the accessory component. The accessory component has opposing sides with engagement portions formed therein that are engageable with the protrusion formed in the track. Thus, the accessory component can be turned over and inserted in a second, opposite orientation with the first side facing upward. The accessory component also includes a cutout portion that allows for the passage of cords and other items through the accessory component when the accessory component is mounted to the track.

In one form thereof, the present invention provides, in combination, a track and an accessory component, the track including upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, the upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a first opening, a fulcrum surface associated with the lower wall, and a first engagement portion associated with said upper wall, and the accessory component including first and second opposing sides including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion, and a rear portion, the rear portion including a pair of second engagement portions respectively associated with the first and second opposing sides, the rear portion of said accessory component selectively insertable within the opening in a first orientation with one of the second engagement portions engaged with the first engagement portion and one of the first and second surfaces abutting the fulcrum surface, and in a second orientation with the other of the second engagement portions engaged with the first engagement portion and the other of the first and second surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface.

In another form thereof, the present invention provides, in combination, a track and an accessory component, the track including upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, the upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a first opening, a fulcrum surface associated with the lower wall, and a first engagement portion associated with the upper wall, and the accessory component including first and second opposing sides including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion, and a rear portion, the rear portion including a second engagement portion, the rear portion of said accessory component disposed at least partially within the opening with the second engagement portion engaged with the first engagement portion of the track and the first surface abutting the fulcrum surface, and a cutout formed within the rear portion and defining a second opening extending through and communicating the first and second surfaces, the second opening disposed adjacent, and at least partially outwardly of, the track.

In a further form thereof, the present invention provides a partition system including at least one horizontally disposed track, a first accessory component including opposite first and second surfaces, the first accessory component fitted to at least one of the tracks in a first orientation in which the first surface faces in a first direction and the second surface faces in a second direction, and a second accessory component identical to the first accessory component, the second accessory component fitted to at least one of the tracks in a second orientation in which the second surface faces in the first direction and the first surface faces in the second direction.

In another form thereof, the present invention provides a method for installing an accessory component within a partition system, including the steps of: providing an accessory component having opposite first and second surfaces; positioning the accessory component in one of a first and second orientation; and inserting the accessory component into at least one track of the partition system. The method may include the additional steps of: removing the accessory component from the at least one track; positioning the accessory component in the other of the first and second orientations; and inserting the accessory component into at least one track of the partition system.

In a still further form thereof, the present invention provides a method installing an accessory component within a partition system, including the steps of: placing a cord within a cutout in a rear portion of an accessory component; inserting the accessory component into the channel of a track of the partition system with the cutout providing an opening through the rear portion of the accessory component that is disposed adjacent the track. The method may include the additional step, prior to the placing step, of connecting the cord to an outlet disposed in one of a permanent wall and a partition of the partition system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office environment including a permanent wall and a partition system wall connected to the permanent wall;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the permanent wall and/or the partition system wall of FIG. 1, showing the track, and also showing an accessory component and schematically illustrating the insertion of the accessory component into the track in either of two orientations;

FIG. 3 is another sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing initial insertion of the accessory component into the track;

FIG. 4 is another sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing completed insertion of the accessory component into the track;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing a cutout portion for allowing the passage of cords and other items through the accessory component;

FIG. 6 a is a sectional view showing completed insertion of the accessory component into the track using engagement portions according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 b is a fragmentary view of the rear portion of the accessory component of FIG. 6 a, showing the pair of second engagement portions; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the placement of a cutout portion of the accessory component in relation to the track and accessory component.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office environment 20 showing permanent wall 22 and partition system wall 26 connected to permanent wall 22. Office environment 20 includes existing permanent walls 22 including panels attached to wall studs 24 at standard increments as it is known in normal construction techniques. Both permanent wall 22 and wall studs 24 stand substantially vertical from floor 28. A partition system wall 26 is shown attached to permanent wall 22 by engagement with track 30, such as in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,686, assigned to assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Partition system wall 26 may be attached to permanent wall 22 by any other suitable method. Track 30 is attached substantially horizontally to permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26. Track 30 may be attached to permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26 by bolts, screws, or other suitable attachment methods or may itself be integrated into the framework of permanent wall 22 or partition system wall 26, such as in the manner disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,127, assigned to assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Office environment 20 also includes accessory components 52. As shown in FIG. 1, accessory components 52 may include, for example, a work surface 52 a, an overhead case storage unit 52 b, a bookcase 52 c, a filing device 52 d, or any other office furniture accessory. One exemplary embodiment of accessory components 52 is a shelf 53, described in detail below, which includes cutout portions 54. Although the features of track 30 and the accessory components are described below with reference to shelf 53 in an exemplary embodiment, such features are also applicable to other types of accessory components.

Office environment 20 also includes corded device 70, which can be placed on accessory components 52. Corded device 70 includes electrical and/or data cord 72, and may be placed on shelf 53. Corded device 70 can be any corded device such as a telephone, computer, printer, or any other electronic device. Cord 72 can be an electrical cord, data cord, or any other type of cord. Cords 72 may pass through cutout portions 54 to allow for the passage of cords and/or other items through accessory components 52 such that cord 72 may be connected to an electrical port 74 a and/or to a data port 74 b in permanent wall 22 or partition system wall 26 with corded devices 70 resting on, or in close proximity with, accessory components 52.

Referring to FIG. 2, two opposite orientations by which shelf 53 may be installed into track 30 are schematically shown.

Track 30 includes horizontal upper wall 32 and lower wall 36, which are connected by vertical central wall 34. Upper wall 32, lower wall 36, and central wall 34 together define channel 38 having opening 44. Track 30 also includes fulcrum surface 40 which extends upwardly from lower wall 36 and is disposed adjacent opening 44. Track 30 further includes a first engagement portion 42, shown herein as a protrusion, that is associated with upper wall 32 and is disposed adjacent central wall 34. First engagement portion 42 protrudes outwardly from upper wall 32 of track 30 to allow for engagement with one of a pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b of shelf 53, as discussed below. The protrusion of first engagement portion 42 can be V-shaped, circular, square, rectangular, or any other shape. As shown in FIG. 2, track 30 includes all of the foregoing structure on each side of central wall 34, so that accessory components 52 can be connected on either side of track 30. Alternatively, track 30 may include only a single channel 38 with the foregoing structure.

Track 30 may additionally include upper face surface 82 and lower face surface 84. Upper face surface 82 is connected perpendicularly to upper wall 32 and extends in the opposite direction of lower wall 36. Lower face surface 84 is connected perpendicularly to lower wall surface 36 and extends in the opposite direction of upper wall 32. Upper face surface 82 and lower face surface 84 may assist in holding track 30 in place on permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26, or may aid in retaining panels or tiles to permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26.

Shelf 53 includes first side 55, second side 56, front portion 60 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and rear portion 58. First side 55 and second side 56 define opposite sides of shelf 53. Rear portion 58 of shelf 53 includes a pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b, shown herein as grooves, that are associated with first side 55 and second side 56, respectively, and are formed on first side 55 and second side 56 by cutting, routing, or any other grooving method or may be integrally molded within first side 55 and second side 56. These grooves can be V-shaped, circular, square, rectangular, or any other shape, such that the shapes of the protrusion of first engagement portion 42 and the groove of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b are complementary to allow for proper engagement with one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in operation, rear portion 58 of shelf 53 is insertable within opening 44 of channel 38 in a first orientation, along arrows A₁ in FIG. 2, to engage first surface 55 with fulcrum surface 40. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, shelf 53 is pivoted about fulcrum surface 40 along arrow A₃, allowing one of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b of shelf 53 to become engaged with first engagement portion 42 of track 30. Alternatively, rear portion 58 of shelf 53 is insertable within opening 44 in a second orientation, along arrows A₂ in FIG. 2, to engage second surface 56 with fulcrum surface 40. Shelf 53 can then be pivoted about fulcrum surface 40 along arrow A₃, in FIG. 3, allowing another of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b of shelf 53 to become engaged with first engagement portion 42 of track 30. This final position, where shelf 53 is cantilevered outwardly from track 30, is shown in FIG. 4.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 6 a, track 30 includes first engagement portion 42 that is associated with upper wall 32 and is disposed adjacent central wall 34. First engagement portion 42 is formed as a groove, or channel, in upper wall 32 of track 30 to allow for engagement with one of a pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b, as discussed below. The groove of first engagement portion 42 can be V-shaped, circular, square, rectangular, or any other shape. Additionally, in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, rear portion 58 of shelf 53 includes a pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b associated with first side 55 and second side 56, respectively. One of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a protrudes from first side 55, and the other of the pair of second engagement portions 62 b protrudes from second side 56. These protrusions can be V-shaped, circular, square, rectangular, or any other shape, such that the shapes of the groove of first engagement portion 42 and the protrusions of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b are complementary to allow for proper engagement with one another. The pair of second engagement portions 62 a, 62 b may be made from a resilient material, such as rubber or a flexible plastic material, and may be separate from shelf 53 and attached to first side 55 and second side 56, respectively, by adhesive, for example.

Upon insertion of shelf 53 into opening 44 of channel 38, one of the pair of second engagement portions 62 b is brought over fulcrum surface 40, and into channel 38 through opening 44, when shelf 53 is moved along arrow A₄, as seen in FIG. 6 a. Once shelf 53 is moved along arrow A₄, the other of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a slidingly engages with upper wall 32. The resiliency of the other of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a allows it to flex, or compress, when slidingly engaged with upper wall 32 such that the other of the pair of second engagement portions 62 a will continue sliding along upper wall 32 until it can expand into, and engage with, first engagement portion 42 of track 30. This can also occur in a second orientation having one of the pair of second engagement portions 62 b slidingly engaged with upper wall 32 until it becomes engaged with first engagement portion 42 of track 30.

Advantageously, the ability of shelf 53 to engage track 30 in either of two orientations allows for selection between a pair of work surfaces or other features of the accessory components 52. For example, when engaging shelf 53 or work surface 52 a with track 30, the user has the option to use one of the two opposing sides of shelf 53 or work surface 52 a. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, for example, first side 55 of shelf 53 is smooth and flat, while second side 56 has ridges 90. Alternatively, shelf 53 may have a wood surface on one side, and a plastic surface on the other, thus accommodating the needs of a user or allowing selection based on aesthetics. In this manner, the opposing surfaces of shelf 53 may differ according to one or more characteristics such as materials, texture, or color.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing cutout portions 54 for allowing the passage of cord 72 and other items through shelf 53. This portion of office environment 20 includes permanent wall 22 and/or partition system wall 26, track 30, shelf 53, and corded device 70. Shelf 53 includes cutout portions 54. Cutout portions 54 are formed within rear portion 58, with cutout portions 54 being dimensioned to provide an opening through rear portion 58 of shelf 53 that is disposed outwardly of channel 38 upon insertion of shelf 53 into channel 38. As seen in FIG. 7, cutout portions 54 may be curved or arcuate in shape, and extend into rear portion 58 of shelf 53 to a depth D₁. Cutout portions 54 can be formed in shelf 53 by cutting, sawing, or any other suitable method. Depth D₁, seen in FIG. 7, defines the opening of cutout portions 54, in rear portion 58, that allows cord 72 of corded device 70 to pass through shelf 53. Depth D₂ is the effective width of this opening and is the distance defined between end surface 95 of cutout portions 54 and a plane formed by upper face surface 82 and/or lower face surface 84 of track 30 when shelf 53 is mounted within channel 38. In this manner, cutout portions 54 allow passage of cords 72 from devices 70 positioned upon shelf to an electrical port 74 a or a data port 74 b, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, cord 72 may be placed within cutout 54 concurrently with mounting of an accessory component 52, such as shelf 53, within channel 38 in the manner described above. For example, cord 72 may be connected to a suitable wall outlet beneath a location at which shelf 53 is to be mounted, followed by loosely placing cord 72 within cutout 54 of shelf 53 prior to mounting shelf 53. Then, shelf 53 may be mounted within channel 38 in the manner described above. In this manner, the need to thread cord 72 through cutout 54 after shelf 53 is mounted is avoided, as well as the need to connect cord 72 to a wall outlet by reaching beneath shelf 53 after shelf 53 is mounted.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1. In combination: a track, comprising: upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, said upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a first opening; a fulcrum surface associated with said lower wall; and a first engagement portion associated with said upper wall; and an accessory component, comprising: first and second opposing sides including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion, and a rear portion, said rear portion including a pair of second engagement portions respectively associated with said first and second opposing sides, said rear portion of said accessory component selectively insertable within said opening in a first orientation with one of said second engagement portions engaged with said first engagement portion and one of said first and second surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface, and in a second orientation with the other of said second engagement portions engaged with said first engagement portion and the other of said first and second surfaces abutting said fulcrum surface.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first engagement portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portions are grooves.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fulcrum surface extends upwardly from said lower wall and is disposed adjacent said first opening.
 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first and second surfaces differ from one another according to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing materials; differing textures; and differing colors.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said accessory component further comprises a cutout formed within said rear portion and defining a second opening extending through and communicating said first and second surfaces, said second opening disposed adjacent, and at least partially outwardly of, said track.
 6. In combination: a track, comprising: upper and lower walls connected by a central wall, said upper, lower and central walls together defining a channel having a first opening; a fulcrum surface associated with said lower wall; and a first engagement portion associated with said upper wall; and an accessory component, comprising: first and second opposing sides including a first surface and a second surface, respectively, a front portion, and a rear portion, said rear portion including a second engagement portion, said rear portion of said accessory component disposed at least partially within said opening with said second engagement portion engaged with said first engagement portion of said track and said first surface abutting said fulcrum surface; and a cutout formed within said rear portion and defining a second opening extending through and communicating said first and second surfaces, said second opening disposed adjacent, and at least partially outwardly of, said track.
 7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said first engagement portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portion is a groove.
 8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said fulcrum surface extends upwardly from said lower wall and is disposed adjacent said first opening.
 9. The combination of claim 6, wherein said first and second surfaces differ from one another according to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing materials; differing textures; and differing colors.
 10. A partition system, comprising: at least one horizontally disposed track; a first accessory component including opposite first and second surfaces, said first accessory component fitted to at least one of said tracks in a first orientation in which said first surface faces in a first direction and said second surface faces in a second direction; and a second accessory component identical to said first accessory component, said second accessory component fitted to at least one of said tracks in a second orientation in which said second surface faces in said first direction and said first surface faces in said second direction.
 11. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first and second surfaces are substantially horizontal, and said first direction is an upward direction and said second direction is a downward direction.
 12. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said track further comprises an upper wall having a first engagement portion, and said accessory components each include a pair of second engagement portions respectively disposed on said first and second surfaces.
 13. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first engagement portion is a protrusion and said second engagement portions are grooves.
 14. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said accessory component further comprises a cutout formed within said rear portion and defining a second opening extending through and communicating said first and second surfaces, said second opening disposed adjacent, and at least partially outwardly of, said track.
 15. The partition system of claim 10, wherein said first and second surfaces differ from one another according to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: differing materials; differing textures; and differing colors. 